Driverless trucks aren’t the solution for Suncor

FORT MCMURRAY— Replacing hundreds of heavy machine operators with driverless trucks would be a mistake, says the union representing workers at Suncor.

“Highly experienced and capable operators will always need to play a role in Oilsands extraction, and it is a mistake to think otherwise,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Unifor will be organizing a national conference to explore strategies to deal with new technologies. It will include a cross-section of union and industry leaders to assist in developing a deeper understanding of how technology will continue to affect jobs.

“The nature of work will always evolve, but government regulation must keep pace,” said Dias. “There must be a benefit to all Albertans for their partnerships with extraction companies. In cases where displacement is unavoidable, a just transition must be a top priority.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.